Why Did Vikings Pull Christian Darrisaw Late vs Browns?

On Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings played their second-straight game in Europe… and yet again, it was far from their best effort. A beaten and battered Vikings offensive line, combined with a quarterback struggling to stay on time, is often a recipe for disaster.

Carson Wentz — much like in week 4 against the Steelers — was hit over and over again, as he struggled to find open receivers. In the first half, all those knockdowns resulted in Wentz being taken back to the locker room, meaning undrafted Gopher QB Max Brosmer had to take the final snap of the 2nd quarter, a kneel-down.

Just before Wentz was ushered out of sight at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this morning in London, phenom left tackle Christian Darrisaw briefly left the game too. At the start of the second half, however, both Wentz and Darrisaw were back in the Vikings’ starting lineup.

Christian Darrisaw pulled late from Vikings vs Browns

Wentz would go on to finish the game, though he was far from perfect. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for Minnesota’s starting left tackle, who was pulled again early in the 4th quarter.

Walter Rouse headed onto the field to play LT. Christian Darrisaw is standing on the sideline with no helmet.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 5, 2025

At first, we all assumed the 2022 first round draft pick was injured again. A short while later, however, it was reported that Christian Darrisaw was not out with an injury.

Instead, the Minnesota Vikings benched their All-Pro caliber offensive lineman while behind in the fourth quarter Sunday, because he had already met a strict snap count he was put on, entering the contest.

No injury for Vikings LT Christian Darrisaw, per the Vikings. Part of his plan as he rounds back into shape from his ACL/MCL tear. At his snap limit.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) October 5, 2025

The #Vikings flipped their tackles, with Justin Skule at left tackle and Walter Rouse on the right side. Christian Darrisaw's exit from the game was planned, the Vikings say; he'd reached his snap limit for the day as he returns from his torn ACL.

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) October 5, 2025

This was the worst possible time for Christian Darrisaw to exit, being the Vikings line was in shambles, entering the game. Once he left the game, Minnesota’s offensive line was boasting just one of its original starters, right guard Will Fries.

Minnesota Vikings somehow find victory in London

Yet, somehow… after nearly three quarters of below average play, Carson Wentz dug down deep on the MN Vikings’ final drive of the game, leading the offense down the field for a 10-play, 80 yard scoring drive that culminated in a miraculous game-winning TD to Jordan Addison.

On the final drive, the former NDSU Bison hit four different receivers before putting his best throw of the day on Addison at the 2-yard line that lead him just inside of the front-right pylon.

Jonathan Vilma on Carson Wentz's go-ahead TD pass to Jordan Addison: "I can't emphasize enough how good of a throw that was. That is big league! Aaron Rodgers, Patrick Mahomes…" #NFL https://t.co/rDEZhojVJo pic.twitter.com/jw1wxBo0Xt

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 5, 2025

Addison made multiple big catches late, after he was benched to start this game due to missing a team walkthrough in London. And now, even without their star left tackle on the sideline for the entire fourth quarter, the Minnesota Vikings will now fly back to the states today with a 3-2 winning record, and a bye next weekend.